Princess Anne honoured by the Queen

The Princess Royal appeared with her husband Commander Tim Laurence today as they attended a lavish ceremony for her to receive one of the Queen's highest honours amid reports that their marriage was in trouble.

Anne was in Edinburgh to be installed as a Royal Lady of the Thistle in recognition of her work in flying the royal standard north of the border.

Senior royals, including the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales - going under his Scottish title of the Duke of Rothesay - also took part in the ceremony at a packed St Giles' Cathedral on the Royal Mile.

Among the congregation was Commander Laurence who has been at the centre of widespread attention since reports began circulating the couple's marriage was on the rocks.

The Princess has so far refused to comment on rumours that she and her husband, who married eight years ago, were leading separate lives.

Today, the couple arrived at the cathedral side by side after making the five-minute journey by car from the Palace of Holyroodhouse, where the Royal Family is staying this week.

It is the first time they have appeared in public before the cameras since news of an alleged rift was reported.

Commander Laurence then left his wife's side to join the congregation, which also included Anne's two children, Peter and Zara, from her first marriage to Captain Mark Phillips.

Hundreds of spectators lined the city's High Street to watch the procession of members of the Order of the Thistle into the cathedral, accompanied by a fanfare from a Guard of Honour assembled in Parliament Square.

After the 40-minute ceremony, Anne smiled and waved at onlookers as she returned to the palace side by side with her brother Charles by royal car.